PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green were among special guests at the opening ceremony of the just-concluded three-day Congress of Evangelists of the Caribbean (CONECAR 2011) held at Auditorium of the of the Central Assembly of God Church, Diplomatic Centre, Church and East Street, in the city on Monday. Hosted by the Evangelical Association of the Caribbean, in partnership with the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship, the Conference which brought together a large delegation of Church officials from across the Caribbean, the United States of America, Canada, and Europe had as its theme: ‘The Church: Its Missing Dimension,’ and sub theme: ‘Transforming the Nation; Changing the World’.

The ceremonial opening on Monday got off to a spirited start with a symbolic and colourful parade of flags of participating countries, and staged by youths of the host Church. The evening’s session was chaired by Rev. Emerson Boyce, with welcome and opening remarks by Pastor Yvonne Osman and Pastor Lynette Smith, Secretary of the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship.  Also making brief remarks was Rev. John Smith, President of the Guyana Evangelical Fellowship who articulated the role, relevance and paramouncy of the Church in society, noting that the church has an important role to play in society, and should not be involved only when there are problems.

The keynote presentation was made by Apostle Elsworth Williams, of the Full Gospel Fellowship Church of Albouystown who delivered a soul-stirring sermon, premised on ‘The Word’ reminding the congregation that: “The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, and that men ought to listen to His call and walk in obedience. He stressed that Jesus Christ is Lord, holds the mighty sway and rules over the nations of the earth, with the power to reduce men to subjection as the need arises. He spoke of the role of the Church asserting that, God is calling the Church at this time, not to choose politics, but to rise up and resolutely take a stand for the Kingdom. He affirmed that when God calls and gives his servants specific tasks it is expected that they respond in obedience.

Apostle Williams emphasised that God has given strategic power to the Church in Guyana and is calling at this time, for it to rise up, become the salt and take a stand.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who welcomed the visiting delegation to Guyana, extended greetings and wishes for success to the Guyana Evangelical Leaders and all others attending the Congress.

The Parade of Nations by young people of the host Church

Noting that Guyana is a land of six peoples he pointed to the fact that it also has three main religions, and in keeping with the Constitution, persons are at liberty to pursue the religion of their choice. Albeit, he took pride in the fact that, even with religious diversity, there is no hostility between or among religious groups in Guyana, adding that the government has been instrumental in arranging for the people to live together in peace and harmony.

Said Mr. Hinds, “For us in Government, we tend to employ arrangements which teach a lot of people about how they should live with each other. He said emphasis is placed on the following values:

* Do not be slow to serve each other
* Work to prosper thy neighbour
* Do the best we could in a world where we live with each other

The Prime Minister however, expressed concern over the trend where, increasingly today, young people tend to become attracted to things or behaviours that give rise to concern. He submitted that this is an area that should be given some attention.

The Conference was expected to critically address topics such as: The Church and Discipleship; The role of the Church in Society; Politics and Justice in the Caribbean; Global and economic trends and implications for the Caribbean; How to get, spend and borrow money; reaching and discipling hurting people; practical issues confronting people of influence; issues affecting youth – such as sexual practices of youth attending evangelical churches; Facing the reality of HIV/AIDS; empowerment and the much anticipated figurative topic of “Rock the Caribbean” by migrant Guyanese-born Bishop John Cummings.

Other speakers slated to address the three-day caucus include: Jamaica Senator Joan Purcell, Rev. Dr. Alister Alexander, Bishop John Cummings, Dr. Israel Brito, Rev. Dr. John Smith, Bishop Gerry Seale, Dr. Nicole Francis, Dr. Raymond Boca; Apostle Elsworth Williams, Dr. Clifton Charles and Rev. Adolph Davis.

International delegations at the caucus were drawn from: Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, The Dominican Republic, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Aruba, Suriname, the United States, England and France.

Among the local delegations were representatives of the Assembly of God Churches in Guyana; the Seventh Day Adventists; the Roman Catholic Diocese of Guyana; the Salvation Army; the Full Gospel Fellowship; Christian Mission and representatives of the Inter-School Christian Fellowship.

The host committee is headed by Rev. John Smith. CONECAR is a biennial meeting of Caribbean Church Officials, and is conducted in various territories in the region. It was previously hosted in Guyana in 1996, according to Rev. John Smith. CONECAR connects the territories of the Caribbean Region, from all the language groups and evangelical denominations and agencies, and provides the forum to engender growth and future development in the Caribbean Church, organizers said.

Officials at the Secretariat, based at the Central Assembly of God Church outlined that the task of CONECAR 2011 is to articulate and affirm sound evangelical principles that are biblical and functional for the long-term future of the Church in the Caribbean. It is also focused on inspiring participants to expand their worldview, as well as to develop a concern for those in their community, especially those who are different from them, and ultimately, for the whole world.